Kristie Cronin (Glaubert) grew up in an active outdoor family on a small bay on the northern end of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. Family camping-fishing trips shaped her childhood and continued into adulthood, with even backpacking adventures often including a fishing pole!

In 2018, her partner, Erik, introduced her to kayak fishing and opened the door to a new chapter—and, in his words, “made her captain of her own ship.” From then on, she was all in! The independence of kayak fishing, combined with the challenge of learning new waters and chasing new species, quickly turned into a passion for fishing wherever she could find it—from saltwater to rivers, reservoirs, and lakes.

Tournament fishing came more recently, and she jumped in with both feet. In 2024, she placed third at the Brownlee Crappie Shootout—the highest finish by a woman in the tournament’s history. In 2025, she won the Oregon Rockfish Classic (ORC)-a USAngling regional qualifier, becoming the first female to win the event. She followed that with another top-10 finish at the 2026 ORC, then earned a sixth-place finish at the 2026 USAngling Saltwater Kayak Fishing National Championship in San Diego, California. Her top-10 finish in San Diego earned her a place on the USAngling Saltwater Kayak Fishing Team, an honor that gives her the opportunity to represent the USA on the international stage.

For Kristie, competition is only part of the attraction. The friendships, willingness to share knowledge, and genuine camaraderie among fellow anglers are a big part of her growth as an angler and why she values being part of the kayak fishing community. She’s still chasing new water, new species, and the next challenge, preferably from the seat of her own little ship